Testing system and mechanism for electrical circuits.



0. L. BEACH 66 H. W. DOUGHTY. TESIING SYSTEM AND MECHANISM FOR ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS. APPLIUAITIUN FILED APR.J, 1012.

1mm M.

Patented Mar. 10, 1914.

STAE$ PATENT U,

ldl CE.

CLARENCE E. BEACH AND HERMAN W. DOUGHTY, OF BINGHAMTO'N. NEXV YORK,

ASSIGNORS TO GEORGE O. KNAPP, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TESTING SYSTEM AND MECHANISM FOR ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 9, 1912.

Fatcntcd Mar. i0, 191%.

rial No. 689,588.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, Cmmcxcn Bmcn and HERMAN W. DoUoirrY, both of Binghamton, county of Broomc, State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Testing Systems and Mechanism for Electrical Circuits, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improved testing system and testing mechanism for clec' trical circuits, and the general object thereof is to provide improved circuit controller mechanisms and circuit arrangement therefor for enabling the conductors of electrical circuits to be more rapidly and etliciently tested out for grounds, crosses between circuits, etc.

Our invention is applicable to any electrical system, and particularly adaptable in systems such as fire alarm systems where periodic tests are made from a central station for grounds, crosses between circuits, etc., and the various controlling mechanisms forming parts of our invention are prefer ably applied to the central station switchboard which carries various circuit switch mechanisms and protecting mechanisms and from which the various external circuits extend.

More in detail our invention contemplates provision for two main switch mechanisms, each comprising a movable contact arm and a plurality of contact terminals adapted to be engaged by said arm, and being connected through conductors with one side of the circuits to be tested, each of these switch mech' anisms having also a ground contact. Test ing switch mechanism is also provided for placing a test battery in series with a testing instrmnent. and for connecting the terminals of this test circuit with the contact arms of the switch mechanisms above referred to, so that test can he made for crosses between any of the circuits or for grounds on any of the circuits.

The further object of the invention is to provide means whereby one switch arm can be held in contact with any selected contact while the arm of the other switch mechanism carried into engagement with its various associated contacts, so that the con tact selected on the one switch mechanism may be tested with the various contacts ongaged by the arm of the other switch mechanlsm.

'lhe lurthcr object is to provide improved mum-connecting mechanism between the switch mechanisms to automatically cause slcp-by stcp cngagcnu-nt of one switch arm with ts contacts while the contact arm of the other switch mechanism is moved manic ally in the successive cngagcn'ient with its associated contacts. Provision'is also made so that the iutcr-connecting mechanism can be readily set l'or some synchronous movement of the switch nicchanisn'is, and be disconnected to allow the switch nua'hanisms to be moved independently of each other. Provision is also made to enable testing for grounds or crosses independcntly oi thrfsupply batteries for the various external cireuits, whether such batteries bc (ElnllltCiOtl or disconnected.

()ur invention also involves other impon t ant features, and by referring to the accon'ipanying drawings our invention and its various features will be clearly understood.

In the accompanying drawings, we have shown the invention and its various tea turcs applied to a central station switchboard for fire alarm systems, and in the drawings. Figure 1 is; rear elevation of the board, to which our invention is applied show ng the testing mechanism arrange ment; and Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the switch u'uv'hanisms.

Secured in the switchbom'd 5, is a bush ing (1 which journals the shaft 7, carrying at the front side of the board a swim-harm 8, having a contact spring 9 tor engaging successively with the heads of contact posts 10 extending through and sccurcd lo the switchboard and arrmi 'cd in a circle concentric with the shaft l. Below the shaft 7 is a shaft 11 journalcd in the bushing 12 secured in the switchhrmrd and which carl'ies at its front end the switch lever 12} buving contact spring it for engaging the heads of contact posts 153 secured to the switch-- board and arranged in a circle con cntric with thtnsbaft 11. The rear end of shaft 7 has secured thereto a wheel 16 having peripheral teeth 17, and a snail cam 18 is also secured to thcshalt 7 at the. rear of wheel 16, the wheel and cam rotating as the switch lever B is carried about the contacts 10. A plate 19, secured against the rear face ofthe switchbtnird, has a post 90 to the end of which pivoted a brake or dctcnt arm 21 journaling at end a roller 22, a spring 23 extending between the arm 21 and a .post on the plate 19 tending to-liold the roller against the periphery of wheel 16 and between the teeth thereof so as to brake this Wheel end. to hold'it against accidentel displacement but to allow ready rotation there- 'to connect with any of the respective con-- tact posts. and the spring actuated brake lovers will yieldingly lock the Wheels 16 end 2 and thereby the switch arms, in any position to which. they have been move l.

Means are provided for mechanically in- 'ter'connecting the switch arms so that upon actuation of one of the arms, the other will be autonmtlcally caused to travel over its associated contacts. The connecting structure has, at its upper end, the vertical slot 31 for receiving the-rear end of the upper shaft 7, and also carries a block 32 for cooperating with the snail cam 18 so that the connecting has? structure is first gradually raised and t an sad enly reicfx when. the arm 8 is rotated. The connector bar has also a slot 33 for receiving the end of the lower shaft ll this slot, be? .5 provided so that the bar can clear the sl: and be guided in its vertical movement by the shaft. Above the ivlleel 24: the bar has a lateral extension 34: whose end pivots a pawl 35, the spring 36 extending from'tb-c extension tending to hold the pawl in substantially vertical position as indicated. In the position shown, the block 352 at the upper end of the oer structure 30 at the end of the cam 18 and the bar flaised to hold the end of pew]. away from the teeth of the lower whee-l. l'f-tbe siviteharm 8 is now. actuated to rotate Wheel 16 in the direction indicated by the arrow, the end of cam 18 Will move away from underneath the block and the connection bar structure will drop. During the latter part of such downward movement. of the car, the pawl 3-3 engages with one of the teeth on the lower Wheel 2% and this Wheel is advanced to carry the switch arm 13 from one contact ocomothe pawl and detent pin 37 are agaiuremoved from Wheel 2% and this Wheel is then held by the brake lever 27. The downward movement oi the connecting bar may be controlled by gravity, or, if desired, a spring may be provided in any. suitable manner. 'lhus when the connecting. oar mechanism is in service, one complete revolution of switch arm 8 will carry its contact 9 successively into engagement with all of the contact posts 10, but wheel 24.- Will be advanced only one tooth and the switch arm 13 moved from one contact post to the next adjacent post.

In order that the two switch mechanisms may be operated entirely independently of each other locking mechanism is provided for locking; the connecting bar structure in inoperative position. As shown, a shaft 39 joornaled in the sw tchboard adjacent to the lower end of the connecting; bar, carries at it inner end a prop or detent arm 4C0, the

being controlled by means of a lever ll at the front of the switchboard and secured to the front end of the shaft. The prop or detent arm 1-0 is adapted for Co operation with the abutment block all secured to the lower end of the connecting bar structme, aud also to further guide the conoectingbcr structure, its lower end has the slot for receiving the rear end (if-shaft 39. As shmvo, the deteut'arm or prop i0 is down, and the connecting bar structure is free to drop after release thereof by cam 18,- and the switch mechanisms are inter-connected. 199 ll. it desired to make the switch mechanisms independently operative, the lever 41 is swung to move the prop l0 into vertical position, and the end of the prop cooperetin g' with the abutment block i1 Will raise the connecting: bar structure to hold the block out of the path of cam 18 and to hold the pawl 35 away from "Wheel 2 11. Either switch mechanism may now be hide-- peiidently controlled by its associated switch a' no, and if inter-connection is again de sired, lever is swung to carry prop 40 out the path of abutment il.

In order to yieldiiigly lock the detent arm or prop 40 in either of its positions spring mechanism Working on the dead line principle is utilized. As shown, a rectangular frame 43 is provided, extending about the shaft 39 and has one of its sides pivoted to the end ofprop 40 and its other side connected with thespring 14 which is anchored to the switchboard. With this arrangement, when. the arm 41 is m ved to carry the prop 40 to either looking or release position with The various contacts of the upper and lower switch mechanisms can, of course, be connected in any desired manner with current sources, testing instruments and the circuits to be tested. In Fig. l, we have shown the mechanism applied for tcstingpurposes in systems such as fire alarm systems. As shown, line circuits (1 terminate at the board at contacts 0, c and extend through fuses f. lightning arrestcrs a, sneak coils a and spring jacks j, and to terminal mechanism m with which the various station mechanisms are connected. There may be any number of such line terminal equipments on the board, and, as shown, each contact 10 of the upper switch mechanism connects through a conductor b with a side of one of the circuits C, and a corresponding contact of the lower switch mechanism connects through conductor'b with the opposite side of the same circuit. As shown, the top contact of the upper switch mechanism connects through the various switch and protector mechanisms with the side a of the first circuit C, and the upper contact of the lower mechanism connects through conductor 6 to the various switch and protector mechanisms with the side 0' of the first circuit C. The upper switch mechanism has one contact, as for example, contact 9 connected with a ground conductor G, and the corresponding contact 5/ of the lower switch mechanism also con nects with a ground conductor G. The plate 19 of the upper switch mechanism, and thereby the contact 9 of the upper switch mechanism, connects through conductor cl with contacts 6, e of two switch mechanisms E, E. The switch mechanism E has also another contact h, and a switch arm ipivoted to the board is adapted to connect with either of the contacts e and h. Likewise, the switch mechanism E has another contact h and a switch arm 71 adapted for en gagement with either contacts h or c. On

' the front of the board, the switch arms 2' and i'are connected together for siinultaneous operation'by a cross bar I: which cross bar, however, is insulated from the lovers. The arm i connects with one terminal of the voltmeter V mounted on the board and the other terminal of the voltmeter connects through conductor d with the plate .26 and thereby with the switch arm 13 and contact 14 of the lower switch mechanism. A battery B connects between the switch lever z" and the contact h.

The operation of our improved testing system can now be clearly understood. Suppose it is desired to test out the various 0 sides of the lines. The switch arms E and E are moved into engagement with the contacts e and h respectively, and the contact arm 13 is moved into engagement with the ground contact 9. The contact arm 8 is then moved successively over its associated contacts connected with the 0 sides of the various circuits. If any of the 0' sides are.

grounded, the following circuit will immediately he closed; from the grounded side 0', through the battery S of the particular line, to the (.1 side of that line and through the test conductor 1) to the test contact, then through contact arm 8, conductor (1, switch arm E, through the voltmeter, conductor (Z, and contact arm to ground, and the voltmeter will indicate that the a side oi. the particular circuit tested is grounded. If it is desired to test out the 0 sides of the various circuits for a ground, the contact arm 8 is set on its ground contact 9 and the arm 13 moved successively into engagement with its contacts and a ground on any of the 0 sides will immediately be indicated on the voltmeter. When testing for grounds in this manner, the various line batteries S will supply the testing current. The battery B could also be utilized for supplying battery for such ground testing. For such test, the switch arms E and E are moved into engagement with contacts It and c respectively, and if it is desired to test the 0' sides of the lines for ground, the switch arm 8 is set on its ground contact 9 and switch arm 13 moved successively over its contacts. As soon as any grounded 0 side is reached, there will be a circuit from this grounded side through the associated test lead I1, through switch arm 13, conductor d, the voltmeter, the battery B, conductor (Z, and through switch arm 8 to ground. If the 0 sides of the circuit are to be tested for ground, the switch arm 13 is set on its ground contact and the arm 8 moved successively into engagement with its contact. During such testing for grounds, the interconnecting mechanism between the switch mechanisms is locked in inoperative position. If, now, it is desired to test the various lines for crosses, the connecting bar 30 is unlocked and SWltt'lhll'lll S rotated. Switch arm 13 will then be advanced from one contact post to the next adjacent each time that the switch arm 8 makes a complete revolution, and during each revolution of the arm 8, each contact 10 and the test leads b extending therefrom will be connected in circuit with the contact ol' the lower switch mechanism engaged by switch arm 13 during such revolution oi switch arm 8. The test circuit for a cross is as follows: from one terminal of the battery B through switch arm 2', the voltmeter, conductor (1, switch arm 13, one of the contacts 15, thence through the corresponding test arm 11. Thus, each side of thelinesis associated with every other side and iany line is crossed with any of the other lines, the voltmeter will so indicate. Also when the connecting bar is in operation, the operator need only rotate arm 8 and watch the volt meter and as soon the voltmeter gives any indication, he can readily determine what particular lines are crossed, thecontact posts hearing suitable numbers for identifying the lines with which they are connected. if the connectinghar is loci-zed in inoperative position, the switch mechanisms can of course be independently operated to effect an' particular test.

'ihe contact 0 of the upper switch 1uecha nism may connect through conductor p with terminal post and the contact 0 may connect through conductor 29 with the post 1 so that. when the arms 8 and 13 are brought into engagement with the contacts 0 and 0 respectively, the posts (1 and q will he. l'crminals of a test circuit inchiding the voltmetcr and batiery, and leads extending from these posts can be utilized in any manner for testing in various ways on the hoard or elsewhere.

In order that the connecting oar mechanism, when made of metal, will not electrically connect logeth'erthe switch arms 8 and 13 with \J'l'lOSQ shafts it comes into contact, the bar is preferably made of two sections secured together by insulation connection as.

Chan es and modifications can, of course, be mac;- iu the construction, arrangement and operation of the switching mecluiuisms and connecting DHEClliUllSlIl Without departing from he scope of the invention, and we do nol, therefore, desire to he limited to what we have shown and described.

o claim the followin'f 1. In a testing; system, the combination of two switch mechanisms each comprising a plurality of contacts and a movable contact arm cooperating with 'said contacts, means for transmitting motion between said switch mechanisms, means for limiting said motion so that one complete cycle of movementv of one mechanism will muse less than one complete cycle of movement of the other mechanism, and. means for holding said transmitting means in inoperative posit on.

2. In a testing; syslem, The combinat on of two switch mechanisms each comprising. a

rotatable contact arm, a brake wheel movable with said arm, a plurality of c mlac ts adapted for successive engagement w th said arm,'a hrahe member yicldmgly engaging said brake wheel, with a cam connected. to more with one of said contact arms, a co n lapled to be operated by said nccting rod or q cam, a ratchet mechanism controlled by Sam rod to operate the other of said arms, and means for holding said conuccti ng rod out r v of engagement with said cam,

3. In a testing system, the combination of two switch mechanisms each comprising a plurality of contacts for connecting with cir cuits to he tested and a movable contact arm for engaging with saiol contacts, a testing circuit adapted for connection with said contact arms and adapted to include a testing instrument, inter-connecting means for said, contact arms adapted upon movement of one of said arms to automatically cause movement of the other contact arm, and means for locking said inter-connecting-nieans in inoperative position to allow independent opcralion of said switch mechanisms.

41;. In a testing system, the combination of two switch mechanisms, a rotatable contact arm for each switch mechanism and a plurality of contacts adapted for successive eugagement with saidswitch arm, a connecting rod extending between the two switch mechanisms, drive mechanism for connecting, said connecting rod with one of said switch arms, actuating mechanism connecting said rod with the other switch arm, means for hold.- ingsaicl actuating mechanism in inoperative position, and means whereby one complete revolution of one switch arm will cause op eration of the drive mechanism to advance the other switch arm a predetermined part of a complete revolution.

5. In a testing system, the combination of two switch mechanisms, a rotatable switch arm for each switch mechanism and a plurality of contacts therefor to be successively engaged thereby and adapted for connection with circuits to he tested, stephy-step connecting mechanism'for said switch arms for causing a predeteri'nined angular advance of one switcn'arm for each complete revolulion of the other switch arm, and meansfor holding said employ-step mecl' anism in inoperative position.

6. In a licslingsystcm, the combination of two switch mechanisms, a rotatable switch arm for each switch mechanism a plurality of contacts therefor adapted for connection with circuits to he tested, a connecting rod extending between the two switch arms, a cam connected to move with one switch arm and cooperating with the connecting rod to set said connecting rod once predetermined angular advance of said.

switch arm uponrelease ofthe connecting rod at the end of each complef'revolrdion ol?-the first switch arm by said cant, f

7. In a iaeslingfsystcm, the combination of .two switch nu-acha-ni-sms each comprising plurality of-c mtaclsanda movable contact arm for successively engaging With said contacts, a-conuecting rod extending between saidswitch mechanismgs,ratchet mechanism at one of said switch mechanisms, and cam mechanism controlled upon movement of the arm at the other switch mechanism to ettcct reciprocation of said connecting rod and operation of the ratchet mechanism to more the contact arm of the first mentioned switch meclninism.

S. In a testing system, the combination of two switch mechanisms each comprising a rotatable contact arm and circuit contacts to be engaged thereby, a ratchet wheel connected with one of said cont-act arms, a connecting;' rod extending between said switch mechanisms, a pawl arm on said connecting rod for cooperating with said ratchet wheel and upon reciprocation of said rod, and means controlled upon rotation of said other contact arm for causing reciprocation of said rod.

9. In a testing system, the combination of two switch mechanisms each comprising a rotatable contact arm and circuit contacts to be engaged thereby, a ratchet wheel con nected with one of said contact arms, a connecting rod extending, between said switch mechanisms, a pawl arm on said connecting rod for cooperating with said ratchet wheel and upon reciprocation of said rod, and cam mechanism controlled upon rotation of said other contact arm to etfect reciprocation ol said connecting rod. 10. In a testing system, the combination of" two switch mechanisms each comprising a rotatable contact arm and circuit contacts to be engaged thereby, a ratchet wheel con nected with one of said contact arms, a connet-ting rod extending between said switch mechanisms, a pawl arm on said connecting rod jor cotiperating with said ratchet wheel and upon reciprocation of said rod, and cam mechanism controlled upon rotation of said other contact arm to etlect reciprocation oi said coimecting rod, and means for holding said connecting rod away from said cam mechanism to prevent reciprocation thereof.

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names, this 5th day of April, A. 1)., 1912.

CLARENCE F. BEACH. ll ERMAN \V. DOUGH Y.

\Vitncssc HENRY \V. STRONG, Gunners J SCHMIDT. 

